I am currently working with a group of PiPa’s from my troop to help them complete the Cooking Merit Badge. This badge covers an important life skill. I was surprised at how little these young ladies actually cook at home. I am blessed with a teenage daughter who is an excellent cook and joyfully cooks dinner several nights each week.

Requirement #26 looks at common food allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has a great webpage (here), that explains what exactly a food allergy is, along with symptoms, and treatments. Eight types of food cover 90% of all food allergies: eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy.

Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), our troop has several girls with food allergies. My troop has done a great job of accommodating all of the different dietary needs at campouts making this requirement fairly easy for our girls to complete.

The easiest meals to accommodate allergies are the ones with the least number of ingredients – plain baked chicken, green beans, salad. The less processing the fewer number of allergens.

If your recipe box does not contain allergy friendly recipes, consider inviting someone with allergies to speak to the group and learn what they use as substitutions.

NOTE: The requirements have been simplified here. Please be sure to read the full text in the Girl Handbook to make sure you fully understand the requirements.